Speaking at a workshop on 'Fire Safety Technologies and Services Workshop' at DRDO headquarters, Bhamre said the idea of making technology useful for all state departments is being explored.

Bhamre was speaking in Lonavala on the sidelines of the inaugural session of Engineers’ Conclave on Defence Manufacturing in India, organised by Larsen & Toubro and the Indian National Academy of Engineers.

Asked about Nepal’s absence in the military exercise, Bhamre said, “Just two weeks ago, the fourth BIMSTEC summit was held in Kathmandu. Nepal has participated in all previous summits."

Subhash Bhamre called for a better co-ordination between various stakeholders such as government agencies, armed forces, business interests and institutions doing research and academic work in the field of oceans.

The LoC and the India-Pakistan border in J&K have been volatile. In May, the Director Generals of Military Operation (DGMO) of India and Pakistan agreed to restore peace along the LoC.

In 2017, 98 Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and those of other ranks, and eight officers died in battle casualties which included ceasefire violations, enemy fire across the Line of Control, avalanche, terrorist attacks, landslide and mine blasts.

The main reasons for accidents were found to be human error and technical defect. Accident prevention programmes have been given added thrust to identify risk-prone areas specific to aircraft fleets and operational environment.

Under the Sahayak or buddy system, a solider is attached to officers and their duties include protecting the officers, maintaining their weapons and equipment and helping them in carrying out their responsibilities.

As per the reply, the number of cadets declared ‘medically unfit’ are as follows per term: Spring Term 2014 (5), Autumn Term 2014 (1), Spring Term 2015 (7), Autumn Term 2015 (4), Spring Term 2016 (1), Autumn Term 2016 (6), Spring Term 2017 (2), Autumn Term 2017 (NIL)

"The committee deliberated on various issues in order to optimise training efforts so that NCC continues to perform in an excellent manner towards character and leadership building of the youth of the nation," the defence ministry said in a statement.